Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

More and more YouTube videos on turkey hunting keep popping up.  Seems like they are everywhere.  The one glaring conclusion I have come to in watching a bunch of them is that good calling ability really isn't all that important.  There are a lot of folks calling and killing gobblers whose calling abilities I could only describe as sounding marginally like a turkey, to put it politely. 

Don't get me wrong.  There are a number of great callers and hunters on YouTube (many of which participate here),...but there are also quite a number that, to be perfectly honest, are really pretty awful.  Yet, the gobblers keep coming and dying.  Go figure....

I've not watched any, but would take a wild guess and say visual aids played a part in some of their successes.   

If you get on the right bird when the time is right you can call him in with a loose staple in a barb wire fence or a squeaky gate hinge.

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I agree.  I've heard some pretty bad calling on TV shows and some Youtube videos as well. But sometimes it works!

I've always stated that on a scale of "1 to 5", if your calling is a "3" but your turkey woodsmanship is a "5" you'll kill more turkeys than the other way around.

Most REAL hens probably wouldn't even "place" in a calling contest. Some of the most god awful series of yelps and squawks I've ever heard have been from live hens, and the gobblers still responded!

You gotta put the belly crawl on 'em bo! :jackson:

The one where the boy shoots the turkey out the air after they miss him 2 different times and he takes off running down a trail by a field to shoot the turkey.......
Not saying I ain't done some dumb stuff, but dadgum I'm glad it ain't on camera.

One show in particular, not going to mention the name due to soft people getting upset, but that guys mouth calling and owl hooting is absolutely horrible, yet he's still killing Gobblers. Every time a Gobbler answers his yelps I'm astounded. Obviously competition calling is not required. On the flip side the current "hero" is actually a competition caller and he's not doing any better percentage wise than the other guy as a matter of fact if you only watch the same number of shows per "expert" the guy with the bad calling is actually ahead lol. Should give anybody struggling with calls some inspiration.

So we now know how Gobblennut is spending his shelter at home time  :drool:. what else are you watching? As for me I have this habit of watching and posting on certain internet forums....hmmm, do I have a disease? Is there a support group for over-indulging on old gobbler? I guess it's better than being addicted to porn!

Yeah, I have thought the same thing for years and wondered, what makes people want to be seen doing something that obviously they don't do well. I have never for one moment ever thought that I wanted a video posted for the world to see of me doing something which obviously I am not good at. Actually I never had the desire to video a hunt. I don't mind that some do, but I do appreciate that it's at least marginally good. One of the things that comes with old age is you quit giving a damn what people think of you and do what you enjoy more than what others expect from you.

Youtube, guns , TSS, decoys, camo, calls, vest or satchels , it's all part of the game now.. a lot of these items have taken the place of becoming a better caller to point. But it still takes some knowledge and woodsmanship to be successful. Some of the Youtube video's are pretty good with showing calling and the importance of cadence and patience. Let's take decoys , it's a lot more to it than just flopping decoy out and waiting on a turkey, setup is key regardless what equipment your using.

I used to cringe at some of the calling until I listened to my own.   ;D  If it took great calling with a lot of different vocalizations, I probably would have to sneak on turkeys.  I basically use one vocalization, yelps.  Soft yelps, loud yelps, fast excited yelps, etc.  I throw in a few cuts every now and again for good measure.  I am hunting dumb and easy Western turkeys, so maybe that's how I get by with it.

Quote from: guesswho on May 30, 2020, 09:51:34 PM
I've not watched any, but would take a wild guess and say visual aids played a part in some of their successes.

While many of the YT channels do use decoys a BUNCH, there is an obvious change in the norm.  Many this past year or two have been ditching them.  And there have been a few mentions from a couple of those channels that they decided to leave them.  The best reason, which is why I ditched them years ago, is because they also saw the decoys hindering their ability to move into better positions.

I love YT channels like Pinhoti, THP, catman, and Calling all Turkey.  I will definitely admit that they have all driven me to work on my calling and expanding my knowledge.  But it's just like many things out there, you have to recognize it's a show, and people with a voice will always have their own opinion what is the "right way".

Quote from: guesswho on May 30, 2020, 09:51:34 PM
I've not watched any, but would take a wild guess and say visual aids played a part in some of their successes.

Watched one the other day, bad calling and they tried to use a visual aid but they set up so bad it wouldn't have helped. Bad calling, bad setup, no cover and they still killed the bird. Of course, they shot it in strut and had to chase it down the hill.

There's no point to this post. Just had to share that junk!

Quote from: Hobbes on May 31, 2020, 11:23:38 AM
I used to cringe at some of the calling until I listened to my own.   ;D  If it took great calling with a lot of different vocalizations, I probably would have to sneak on turkeys.  I basically use one vocalization, yelps.  Soft yelps, loud yelps, fast excited yelps, etc.  I throw in a few cuts every now and again for good measure.  I am hunting dumb and easy Western turkeys, so maybe that's how I get by with it.

Watched your videos. You sound like those birds. I don't sound anything like that. I'm taking notes for if I ever hunt those areas.

Pretty much same here, yelps and patience . And my yelping has it good and bad days.


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Ok, probably gonna be a too long post here.

First off I have nothing against a guy using a blind and decoys. If that's the way you want to hunt great. If you don't want to work on being a better caller there is nothing wrong with that. And I can see why for some that is fine.

What gets me is this thing about calling. Like replicating the sounds turkeys make is all there is to being a good caller. But the ability to make a number turkey calls sound real, both loud & soft, is just the basics in calling. There is so much more to being a proficient caller. Of course knowing when to say what, along with how loud/soft to call and when to shut up is part of calling. Then there are calling methods like "pick a spot", "audio baiting", and "changing position" to name a few. Timing can be important, like answering a gobbler or hen before or immediately after they finish their call. Then what may be the most important...thinking! Think about the situation taking in many variables. Like breeding phase, hunting pressure, time of day, recent knowledge of what has happened to the bird/flock you are calling to...etc...etc.

Then there is the woodsmanship vs calling argument. For me I don't really separate the two. Sure at the extreme ends they are different things. But take stealth for example. If you make a bunch of unnatural noise or walk across an open field in the predawn. Then set down and try to call in a gobbler that has heard/seen something he just may be reluctant to go to you. To me stealth is a part of calling. And the list goes on... knowing likely spots, knowing terrain, knowing breeding phase...etc.

If you want to separate calling and woodsmanship, fine.  But here is a novel idea (if you want to be a better turkey hunter)...why not be good at both?

I don't claim to be an expert and know it all.  I guess a lot, but the more experience I have and try to think the situation through, the more "good luck" I seem have. Off the top of my head...all these calls I am going to list have "broke" a hung up spring gobbler for me at one time or another. Cutting, gobble, jake gobble, male yelping, kee kee, quaver, leaf scratching, and silence. 

It seems there is a negative attitude for a guy to try to be a good at calling a turkey and I just don't get it. If you don't want to improve great. But if a guy wants to become a better turkey hunter (and have more fun at it IMO) then why not?

Quote from: howl on May 31, 2020, 12:57:21 PM

Quote from: Hobbes on May 31, 2020, 11:23:38 AM
I used to cringe at some of the calling until I listened to my own.   ;D  If it took great calling with a lot of different vocalizations, I probably would have to sneak on turkeys.  I basically use one vocalization, yelps.  Soft yelps, loud yelps, fast excited yelps, etc.  I throw in a few cuts every now and again for good measure.  I am hunting dumb and easy Western turkeys, so maybe that's how I get by with it.

Watched your videos. You sound like those birds. I don't sound anything like that. I'm taking notes for if I ever hunt those areas.

What I hear on the video doesn't sound quite like what I hear sitting there, but I seem to do alright killing them.  I'm going to try to make it back east next year to see if I can still kill Easterns.  I may have to make some adjustments to my methods. :)

Quote from: Treerooster on May 31, 2020, 01:17:39 PM
Ok, probably gonna be a too long post here.

First off I have nothing against a guy using a blind and decoys. If that's the way you want to hunt great. If you don't want to work on being a better caller there is nothing wrong with that. And I can see why for some that is fine.

What gets me is this thing about calling. Like replicating the sounds turkeys make is all there is to being a good caller. But the ability to make a number turkey calls sound real, both loud & soft, is just the basics in calling. There is so much more to being a proficient caller. Of course knowing when to say what, along with how loud/soft to call and when to shut up is part of calling. Then there are calling methods like "pick a spot", "audio baiting", and "changing position" to name a few. Timing can be important, like answering a gobbler or hen before or immediately after they finish their call. Then what may be the most important...thinking! Think about the situation taking in many variables. Like breeding phase, hunting pressure, time of day, recent knowledge of what has happened to the bird/flock you are calling to...etc...etc.

Then there is the woodsmanship vs calling argument. For me I don't really separate the two. Sure at the extreme ends they are different things. But take stealth for example. If you make a bunch of unnatural noise or walk across an open field in the predawn. Then set down and try to call in a gobbler that has heard/seen something he just may be reluctant to go to you. To me stealth is a part of calling. And the list goes on... knowing likely spots, knowing terrain, knowing breeding phase...etc.

If you want to separate calling and woodsmanship, fine.  But here is a novel idea (if you want to be a better turkey hunter)...why not be good at both?

I don't claim to be an expert and know it all.  I guess a lot, but the more experience I have and try to think the situation through, the more "good luck" I seem have. Off the top of my head...all these calls I am going to list have "broke" a hung up spring gobbler for me at one time or another. Cutting, gobble, jake gobble, male yelping, kee kee, quaver, leaf scratching, and silence. 

It seems there is a negative attitude for a guy to try to be a good at calling a turkey and I just don't get it. If you don't want to improve great. But if a guy wants to become a better turkey hunter (and have more fun at it IMO) then why not?

Good post Treerooster.  I've never felt there was a separation between the two.  Good or at least sufficient calling is part of this "woodsmanship" term that guys throw around.  I made the statement once when asked what I thought the term "woodsmanship" meant (on here I think).  My response was "the word that folks use as an excuse to suck at calling".  I don't think my definition won any awards.  :)

Turkeys were 1000% better off and turkey hunting on public land was 1000% more enjoyable before these YouTube characters emerged.

And that's a fact, Jack.

Quote from: eggshell on May 31, 2020, 05:01:41 PM
Please don't take this wrong, I am not trying to pump myself up at all. The very best compliment I ever received from a seasoned turkey hunter was:

I like hunting with "Eggshell", because there's almost as much turkey in that man as there is human. Turkeys just seem to be drawn to him or him to them, whichever it is. If your with him your gonna see turkeys and your gonna get a chance to shoot them. So when he invites me I'm going.

This is a man I respect immensely as a hunter and I was honored he felt that way. I have lived in the woods and along the streams all my life from the day I could walk. I was allowed to go to the river on my own by 8 to catch fish and I would go hunting on own by 10-12. I studied animals all the time. To me, I agree there is no separation, hunting should be an amalgam of woodsmanship, calling, knowing your quarry and what is natural. The more you appear to fit in the woods the more game you will see. This includes making the sounds as they hear them everyday. I see some of the you tubers doing this and other are just plowing up the woods.

How does any of the first part of the post have  anything to do with YouTube? Some of my all time favorite posts are the low key braggarts lol.

Quote from: LaLongbeard on May 31, 2020, 06:42:48 PM

Quote from: eggshell on May 31, 2020, 05:01:41 PM
Please don't take this wrong, I am not trying to pump myself up at all. The very best compliment I ever received from a seasoned turkey hunter was:

I like hunting with "Eggshell", because there's almost as much turkey in that man as there is human. Turkeys just seem to be drawn to him or him to them, whichever it is. If your with him your gonna see turkeys and your gonna get a chance to shoot them. So when he invites me I'm going.

This is a man I respect immensely as a hunter and I was honored he felt that way. I have lived in the woods and along the streams all my life from the day I could walk. I was allowed to go to the river on my own by 8 to catch fish and I would go hunting on own by 10-12. I studied animals all the time. To me, I agree there is no separation, hunting should be an amalgam of woodsmanship, calling, knowing your quarry and what is natural. The more you appear to fit in the woods the more game you will see. This includes making the sounds as they hear them everyday. I see some of the you tubers doing this and other are just plowing up the woods.

How does any of the first part of the post have  anything to do with YouTube? Some of my all time favorite posts are the low key braggarts lol.

I got a laugh outta this one ????

QuoteHow does any of the first part of the post have  anything to do with YouTube? Some of my all time favorite posts are the low key braggarts lol.

yeah, I stepped right in the turkey pooh there. I won't disagree with you, it reads that way once I came back and read it. You got me, Oh well. Once a rock is thrown you can't take it back. I'll delete it but the quotes will still stick to me.

What I really wanted to say is the level of hunting skills I expect to see is absent, in a lot of youtube videos. I thought my own experience would be a good guide to evaluate that, guess not.

What do ya'll think about this one? 80 yard shot at a gobbler that is breeding a hen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k81k-G7S8VM&t=149s

I personally find it ridiculous, but the if it's legal crowd will probably disagree.   I have my doubts on the 80 yard claim too.    What is really aggravating to me is he also wounded the other bird that possibly died.   Bad decision on the shooters part, and I also put blame on the guy telling him he better do something quick.   Why not let them walk off, then reposition and try it again.   Legally moronic!   Even more disheartening is the fact hat there are three times as many thumbs up as thumbs down.   Kind of gives you a rough idea of what direction turkey hunting is headed.

I couldn't believe what I was watching...

Quote from: GobblinNC on June 01, 2020, 09:08:23 AM
What do ya'll think about this one? 80 yard shot at a gobbler that is breeding a hen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k81k-G7S8VM&t=149s

x2 agree , that was little extreme .. I don't care for most of his video's ...

Quote from: GobblinNC on June 01, 2020, 09:08:23 AM
What do ya'll think about this one? 80 yard shot at a gobbler that is breeding a hen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k81k-G7S8VM&t=149s

I'm speechless.  First of all, I can't believe that these guys,...who are supposed to be experienced turkey hunters and supposedly have some level of notoriety,...would have EVER considered taking that shot. 

Secondly, the nonchalance when they realized there was a hen under that gobbler is totally unacceptable to me.  I accept the idea that they did not realize the hen was there due to the distance (which, again, should have been their first clue to not take that shot), but to then not go through the process of determining whether the hen was wounded with a thorough review of the video (which is inconclusive, but suggests that she might have been hit, as well) and a thorough search in the direction she went.  Assuming for a moment that perhaps they did indeed review the video and then look for the hen, the fact that they did not then talk about the incident and use it as a teaching moment on the video to explain the importance of clearly identifying the target and anything around it is doubly troubling to me. 

The bottom line is the participants in that video,...and the Realtree folks that allowed it to be aired,...should be totally ashamed of themselves.  Personally, I plan on giving them a "piece of my mind" about it,...and I hope plenty of other turkey hunters do the same!

If that's what they're willing to show to everyone imagine whats they edit out. That's not likely the worst of their behavior.

That hen was hit, I don't watch youtube stars, and that's only one reason why.

On topic, yes many shows feature subpar calling and still kill birds. I would say locating birds and set up are far more important then the quality of sound but being better never hurt either so take pride if you are a great caller, and I can't enjoy a video regardless of footage if the calling is bad (it is intended as entertainment after all, don't watch if you don't enjoy)

To digress a little, many shows feature atrocious calling and use other instruments like decoys/blinds/and fans to kill birds, I won't pass judgement here on these subjects as they aren't the basis of the topic other than its not entertaining for me to watch (it is intended as entertainment after all, don't watch if you don't enjoy)

To further digress about the video attached:Spring thunder is the absolute worst, that guys has always been a terrible turkey hunter but now has a camera behind him, I swear this guys spent an intensive 12 week program at wild game nation learning how not to hunt, graduating with honors on "hunting for the wrong reasons 201" and "anything for the kill, editing away the mishaps"


I watch what I enjoy and don't watch anything else

Completely unacceptable! Some people just don't "get it"


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Definitely looked like the hen took some shot really noway she didn't. Just because she flapped off doesn't mean she didn't get a pellet  or several in her vitals. If everyone that is against such behavior would comment on the video and give it a thumbs down they will maybe get the message. I know the THP won't be shooting anymore hens on video you can bank on that, and it is because of the negative feedback they received. These people's whole income is based on sponsors and their "video" world. The only way to get their attention is to get in their pockets. The last thing they want is to have to get a real job. And what about the anti hunters ? Videos like that could turn the stomach of anybody let alone a tree hugger. And the worst of it is the low IQ masses that get their "hunting" instruction from YouTube will be attempting the same thing.
     

I can't imagine thinking that can be justified.  I can maybe buy that mistakes are made, but I'm not buying their pathetic attempt at justification.  How the heck do you not own up to that being a terrible decision after showing it to the world.

I fear for the ramifications that social media, youtube, and loose lips on forums are having on the sport that we love.

I know of no law that says you are not allowed to shoot beyond a certain distance.  His 80 yard shot, like decoys and fanning, was legal, and legal means ethical.  Don't get your panties in a wad.  Turkey hunting has changed.  Get with the program.

Quote from: Southerngobbler on June 01, 2020, 11:22:44 AM
If that's what they're willing to show to everyone imagine whats they edit out. That's not likely the worst of their behavior.

I was thinking the same thing. Just disgusting.

Quote from: GobbleNut on June 01, 2020, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: GobblinNC on June 01, 2020, 09:08:23 AM
What do ya'll think about this one? 80 yard shot at a gobbler that is breeding a hen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k81k-G7S8VM&t=149s

I'm speechless.  First of all, I can't believe that these guys,...who are supposed to be experienced turkey hunters and supposedly have some level of notoriety,...would have EVER considered taking that shot. 

Secondly, the nonchalance when they realized there was a hen under that gobbler is totally unacceptable to me.  I accept the idea that they did not realize the hen was there due to the distance (which, again, should have been their first clue to not take that shot), but to then not go through the process of determining whether the hen was wounded with a thorough review of the video (which is inconclusive, but suggests that she might have been hit, as well) and a thorough search in the direction she went.  Assuming for a moment that perhaps they did indeed review the video and then look for the hen, the fact that they did not then talk about the incident and use it as a teaching moment on the video to explain the importance of clearly identifying the target and anything around it is doubly troubling to me. 

The bottom line is the participants in that video,...and the Realtree folks that allowed it to be aired,...should be totally ashamed of themselves.  Personally, I plan on giving them a "piece of my mind" about it,...and I hope plenty of other turkey hunters do the same!

Didnt watch the video. What impresses me is that even though he was speechless, ol gobblenut said an awful lot!

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Agree with all the comments regarding that video. I gave the video a thumbs down, Can not believe that was even posted.

Quote from: Happy on June 01, 2020, 03:03:13 PM

Quote from: GobbleNut on June 01, 2020, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: GobblinNC on June 01, 2020, 09:08:23 AM
What do ya'll think about this one? 80 yard shot at a gobbler that is breeding a hen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k81k-G7S8VM&t=149s

I'm speechless.  First of all, I can't believe that these guys,...who are supposed to be experienced turkey hunters and supposedly have some level of notoriety,...would have EVER considered taking that shot. 

Secondly, the nonchalance when they realized there was a hen under that gobbler is totally unacceptable to me.  I accept the idea that they did not realize the hen was there due to the distance (which, again, should have been their first clue to not take that shot), but to then not go through the process of determining whether the hen was wounded with a thorough review of the video (which is inconclusive, but suggests that she might have been hit, as well) and a thorough search in the direction she went.  Assuming for a moment that perhaps they did indeed review the video and then look for the hen, the fact that they did not then talk about the incident and use it as a teaching moment on the video to explain the importance of clearly identifying the target and anything around it is doubly troubling to me. 

The bottom line is the participants in that video,...and the Realtree folks that allowed it to be aired,...should be totally ashamed of themselves.  Personally, I plan on giving them a "piece of my mind" about it,...and I hope plenty of other turkey hunters do the same!

Didnt watch the video. What impresses me is that even though he was speechless, ol gobblenut said an awful lot!

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Just imagine how long that post would have been if I hadn't been speechless!  :) 
(Don't watch the video because it will probably just piss you off like it did me)...

Quote from: MISSISSIPPI Double beard on June 01, 2020, 11:28:55 AM
That hen was hit, I don't watch youtube stars, and that's only one reason why.

I watched the video...  Hit the dislike button, and pointed out this very fact (that the hen was likely hit) on a comment I made on the video.  I also made it clear that I would avoid watching any more of their videos.  Everyone watching this video should hit that dislike button, and make a negative comment...  What a turd.

As to the OP...  I have watched some videos on YouTube on duck hunting, and turkey hunting...  I am constantly amazed at what some people can get away with and still kill a turkey (or a duck), but there are some good hunters posting, and some wholesome videos, as well as some complete trash.

While the technicality of calling is important to some degree (probably more important on pressured birds), timing is probably more important...  When to call, when NOT to call, what calls to make at which times, how loud or aggressive the calling is, etc...

I have hunted ranches, where I could probably wear a chicken suit and walk around clucking and crowing, and kill a bird...  These days the areas I hunt have much lower populations that are hunted much harder.

What always gets me is the conversation...  Turkeys can hear a mouse poop, and yet people seem to feel comfortable having conversations while turkey hunting???  I also feel turkeys can hear whispering...  Maybe some birds ignore it, but I have to think that are a fair number heavily pressured birds are bumped long before the hunters even know there was a threat....

Easiest bird to kill is a vocal "hot" bird!   Poor calling or not!

Calling position is crucial!!!


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How do you leave a negative comment?
I gave them the thumbs down, but couldn't figure out the comment section.

The hen definitely looked shot to me, but maybe she was just disoriented through the whole process. I really don't care.

It looks to me that the guy isn't really an experienced turkey hunter. This type of behavior further encourages this nonsense from inexperienced persons participating in the future.

I didn't watch the whole video but I'm guessing he was shooting the latest super duper gotta have it TSS loads. And if you believe half of what the TSS crowd claims then the pellets penetrated thru the Gobbler the hen was right under the Gobbler not real hard to figure out the rest. As for as them not knowing the Gobbler was breeding a hen that's BS or they are stupid.....or maybe both.

I'm not gonna crucify those guys, or throw other YouTube hunters in the same boat as them, as I know beyond a reasonable doubt that most people on this site have made poor decisions as well, myself included. I do think that the shot was a poor decision. I also definitely would not have put the video up.

 :blob10:

Quote from: GobblinNC on June 01, 2020, 01:31:34 PM
I fear for the ramifications that social media, youtube, and loose lips on forums are having on the sport that we love.

BINGO!!

Get a kill on film at all cost .
The sad thing is I'm seeing more of " them " and way less of "us"
And by " us " I mean folks that actually respect there quarry.

Quote from: Pluffmud on June 01, 2020, 07:16:06 PM
I'm not gonna crucify those guys, or throw other YouTube hunters in the same boat as them, as I know beyond a reasonable doubt that most people on this site have made poor decisions as well, myself included. I do think that the shot was a poor decision. I also definitely would not have put the video up.

While I agree that most of us have probably used poor judgement and made some mistakes in our hunting careers (I know I have made my share), I would hope each of us would learn from those mistakes and strive not to make them again.  In the video in question, if you read the comments section, you will see that even though most of those comments condemn the video, the "host" just keeps defending it.  No apology or remorse for taking too long a shot, no apology for not taking care to realize there was a hen under the gobbler, stating over and over that they "knew for a fact" that the hen had not been seriously wounded,...and on and on. 

After all the negative comments, if the host had just shown any level of contrition about what happened, I could accept that and move on.  If they had just said,..."We didn't realize the gobbler was that far,...and we don't condone taking that long a shot,...and we didn't see the hen or we would never have shot,...and we are concerned that the hen may have been accidentally wounded and may not survive,...and we are sorry for all of it",...then I would forgive the incident. 

The fact that he just keeps defending the video and has not shown one bit of remorse about that video just pisses the sh*t out of me!  ...And the fact that they had the audacity to put it up on YouTube just magnifies my anger. 

As far as I know, this is the biggest turkey hunting forum on the internet.  I would bet there are folks that are associated with Realtree that are aware of it and probably check in to take "the pulse" of the turkey hunting community.  I hope they do, and if so, here is my position on it because it is the only real action I can take to show my displeasure with the show and the host.  I will personally not buy any more products from Realtree,...and I will encourage everybody I know to do the same,...starting with those here. 

That position will only change when and if there is some sort of public apology for that travesty of a video.  Sorry for the rant, but that's just how its gotta be for this old boy!

Quote from: Jstocks on May 30, 2020, 11:58:33 PM
Not saying I ain't done some dumb stuff, but dadgum I'm glad it ain't on camera.

LOL!!!Agreed!! :icon_thumright:

Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.

Quote from: Hobbes on May 31, 2020, 01:30:41 PM

Quote from: howl on May 31, 2020, 12:57:21 PM

Quote from: Hobbes on May 31, 2020, 11:23:38 AM
What I hear on the video doesn't sound quite like what I hear sitting there, but I seem to do alright killing them.

One thing I've noticed is that in my very limited filming experience with a camcorder, is that everything sounds different, my calling and even my voice. I think my calling is OK sounding, but when I hear it on video I don't like it. I also know guys who's calling sounds absolutely awful to me, yet they kill birds every year. I guess as long as it works and you kill birds, keep doing what you're doing.

Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.

Quote from: GobbleNut on June 02, 2020, 09:26:06 AM

Quote from: Pluffmud on June 01, 2020, 07:16:06 PM
I'm not gonna crucify those guys, or throw other YouTube hunters in the same boat as them, as I know beyond a reasonable doubt that most people on this site have made poor decisions as well, myself included. I do think that the shot was a poor decision. I also definitely would not have put the video up.

While I agree that most of us have probably used poor judgement and made some mistakes in our hunting careers (I know I have made my share), I would hope each of us would learn from those mistakes and strive not to make them again.  In the video in question, if you read the comments section, you will see that even though most of those comments condemn the video, the "host" just keeps defending it.  No apology or remorse for taking too long a shot, no apology for not taking care to realize there was a hen under the gobbler, stating over and over that they "knew for a fact" that the hen had not been seriously wounded,...and on and on. 

After all the negative comments, if the host had just shown any level of contrition about what happened, I could accept that and move on.  If they had just said,..."We didn't realize the gobbler was that far,...and we don't condone taking that long a shot,...and we didn't see the hen or we would never have shot,...and we are concerned that the hen may have been accidentally wounded and may not survive,...and we are sorry for all of it",...then I would forgive the incident. 

The fact that he just keeps defending the video and has not shown one bit of remorse about that video just pisses the sh*t out of me!  ...And the fact that they had the audacity to put it up on YouTube just magnifies my anger. 

As far as I know, this is the biggest turkey hunting forum on the internet.  I would bet there are folks that are associated with Realtree that are aware of it and probably check in to take "the pulse" of the turkey hunting community.  I hope they do, and if so, here is my position on it because it is the only real action I can take to show my displeasure with the show and the host.  I will personally not buy any more products from Realtree,...and I will encourage everybody I know to do the same,...starting with those here. 

That position will only change when and if there is some sort of public apology for that travesty of a video.  Sorry for the rant, but that's just how its gotta be for this old boy!

I agree. Let Realtree know that you don't approve of what they are sponsoring. When the THP was shooting dusting hens I let ONX and Woodhaven know in emails what I thought and that I was done with all of them. These Youtubers need to realize that it's a small minority of the hunters that are ok with some of this fanning/reaping long range shooting, wounding hen killing etc. The ones that these types of videos cater too are not serious hunters anyway and will probably quit or get bored or go back to playing video games when the fad dies down, and it will eventually.

Quote from: GobbleNut on June 02, 2020, 09:26:06 AM

Quote from: Pluffmud on June 01, 2020, 07:16:06 PM
I'm not gonna crucify those guys, or throw other YouTube hunters in the same boat as them, as I know beyond a reasonable doubt that most people on this site have made poor decisions as well, myself included. I do think that the shot was a poor decision. I also definitely would not have put the video up.

While I agree that most of us have probably used poor judgement and made some mistakes in our hunting careers (I know I have made my share), I would hope each of us would learn from those mistakes and strive not to make them again.  In the video in question, if you read the comments section, you will see that even though most of those comments condemn the video, the "host" just keeps defending it.  No apology or remorse for taking too long a shot, no apology for not taking care to realize there was a hen under the gobbler, stating over and over that they "knew for a fact" that the hen had not been seriously wounded,...and on and on. 

After all the negative comments, if the host had just shown any level of contrition about what happened, I could accept that and move on.  If they had just said,..."We didn't realize the gobbler was that far,...and we don't condone taking that long a shot,...and we didn't see the hen or we would never have shot,...and we are concerned that the hen may have been accidentally wounded and may not survive,...and we are sorry for all of it",...then I would forgive the incident. 

The fact that he just keeps defending the video and has not shown one bit of remorse about that video just pisses the sh*t out of me!  ...And the fact that they had the audacity to put it up on YouTube just magnifies my anger. 

As far as I know, this is the biggest turkey hunting forum on the internet.  I would bet there are folks that are associated with Realtree that are aware of it and probably check in to take "the pulse" of the turkey hunting community.  I hope they do, and if so, here is my position on it because it is the only real action I can take to show my displeasure with the show and the host.  I will personally not buy any more products from Realtree,...and I will encourage everybody I know to do the same,...starting with those here. 

That position will only change when and if there is some sort of public apology for that travesty of a video.  Sorry for the rant, but that's just how its gotta be for this old boy!

Good post

Lol

Collateral damage has long been an issue with me. I have seen many adjacent birds crippled  in youtube videos. There was one a year or two ago that clearly showed a gobbler dragging a wing as he ran away and not one single word was ever mentioned about it. They didn't look for the bird or anything. I think I posted about it here, but maybe I didn't. It " gobblenut's" level P.O. s me to this day. I always wait for a bird to clear. I have pulled off the bird I wanted to shoot a clear bird many times. There are times hunters aren't aware another bird is in the pattern, and that is not what I mean. I had this happen to me once and it upset me, but my buddy took off and  recovered the crippled bird, and he tagged it. So yes we all make mistakes, but intentionally doing it is wrong. It's when they shoot in a tight packed group of birds.

Quote from: Pluffmud on June 01, 2020, 07:16:06 PM
I'm not gonna crucify those guys, or throw other YouTube hunters in the same boat as them, as I know beyond a reasonable doubt that most people on this site have made poor decisions as well, myself included. I do think that the shot was a poor decision. I also definitely would not have put the video up.

Yes, we have all made poor decisions...  Done things we are not proud of in the field.  But there is a big difference between making said mistake, and then posting it in a boastful manner on a public forum for all to see.

I will not condemn the terrible caller who does not hide well, or makes commotion at the blind, or the guy that misses a close bird, or the guy that bumps every bird that he hears...  As long as he is safe and ethical while hunting.  I have made all kinds of blunders in the field, and some of them would be comical for other hunters to see.   Heck, seeing some of the other mistakes hunters make can work as a vicarious learning experience...  But shooting an 80 yard tom, mounting a hen, and then bragging about it it, is not such a learning experience. 

Quote from: GobbleNut on June 02, 2020, 09:26:06 AM

Quote from: Pluffmud on June 01, 2020, 07:16:06 PM
I'm not gonna crucify those guys, or throw other YouTube hunters in the same boat as them, as I know beyond a reasonable doubt that most people on this site have made poor decisions as well, myself included. I do think that the shot was a poor decision. I also definitely would not have put the video up.

While I agree that most of us have probably used poor judgement and made some mistakes in our hunting careers (I know I have made my share), I would hope each of us would learn from those mistakes and strive not to make them again.  In the video in question, if you read the comments section, you will see that even though most of those comments condemn the video, the "host" just keeps defending it.  No apology or remorse for taking too long a shot, no apology for not taking care to realize there was a hen under the gobbler, stating over and over that they "knew for a fact" that the hen had not been seriously wounded,...and on and on. 

After all the negative comments, if the host had just shown any level of contrition about what happened, I could accept that and move on.  If they had just said,..."We didn't realize the gobbler was that far,...and we don't condone taking that long a shot,...and we didn't see the hen or we would never have shot,...and we are concerned that the hen may have been accidentally wounded and may not survive,...and we are sorry for all of it",...then I would forgive the incident. 

The fact that he just keeps defending the video and has not shown one bit of remorse about that video just pisses the sh*t out of me!  ...And the fact that they had the audacity to put it up on YouTube just magnifies my anger. 

As far as I know, this is the biggest turkey hunting forum on the internet.  I would bet there are folks that are associated with Realtree that are aware of it and probably check in to take "the pulse" of the turkey hunting community.  I hope they do, and if so, here is my position on it because it is the only real action I can take to show my displeasure with the show and the host.  I will personally not buy any more products from Realtree,...and I will encourage everybody I know to do the same,...starting with those here. 

That position will only change when and if there is some sort of public apology for that travesty of a video.  Sorry for the rant, but that's just how its gotta be for this old boy!

Agree. Well said

To quote their own lingo of turkey slang from their videos, sounds like the Realtree folks need to explain, "Why he did what he did" in regard to the 80 yd shot, though it sounds like they are defending it already.

Not gonna get on my soapbox, but when I see things like this all I can think of are the new or less educated turkey hunters who see these things and feel they are in some way acceptable, merely because some TV "hunting celebrity" show pulled it off..........once.

Thunder Chickens gotta die....#80isthenew40

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Quote from: LaLongbeard on June 02, 2020, 10:37:59 AM
Let Realtree know that you don't approve of what they are sponsoring...

Watch this first ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2NYy0rdw50 ... You'll recognize the shooter as the owner of Realtree and his son as the one holding the strutter deke and bragging about the long shot using TSS, even though the turkey flew off and had to be searched for.

Another option for feedback

feedback@realtreeoutdoors.com

One thing I would like to point out is, the calling may not be as bad as you think. Most of the cameras being used have very poor microphones, thus the sound quality is awful.

That is very true Misfire.  Found that out last weekend. 

Quote from: misfire on June 03, 2020, 09:14:02 AM
One thing I would like to point out is, the calling may not be as bad as you think. Most of the cameras being used have very poor microphones, thus the sound quality is awful.

This is very true.  Anybody that has tried filming hunts with a cheap video camera without a remote mic knows this fact.  Nonetheless, there are some guys that just aren't very good callers that are getting it done.

My point with the original post really wasn't to be critical of those YouTubers at all.  You can't argue with success, as they say.  My point was that, under a given set of conditions, what some of us consider to be "good" turkey calling ain't really all that important.   

QuoteMy point was that, under a given set of conditions, what some of us consider to be "good" turkey calling ain't really all that important.   

That is true Gobblenut, but when you find the guys that are consistently successful year in year out they are generally pretty good callers. Like someone already said, the quality may not be as important as know what call to make when. In other words, know the language.

I have tried recording my calls for a quality check and your right, poor equipment makes calls sound worse than they are.

The Realtree 80 yard shot video was removed. Maybe the Utubers will realize the majority of Turkey hunters don't like such garbage. There will always be wannabes and crutch huggers but for now they have to go back in the closet we're they belong no real hunter wants to see it.

Some youtube videos do make me feel awfully good about my calling ability!  Though I have always said it is not nearly as important as set up and reading a bird.

I called in a pair of toms across a field from a few hundred yards once, every time I called they came, as soon as I stopped they lost interest and started moving off the field, finally I just let it rip, about ran out of breath calling but they came right in, never would have killed that bird had I not had a visual! 

I was set up in public woods along a private field where I knew gobblers hung out. I was calling sporadically with some low key yelps and what not. Every once in a while I would get a courtesy gobble from 2 different directions maybe 150 to 200yds away. One would come from the edge of the woods I was in and the other from out in the field on the backside of a small rise. After about an hour and a half I let out a cutt. Got an immediate response from the bird in the woods. Cutt again and a gobble came from out in the field. I decided to let it all hang out cutting aggressively only stopping to take a breath. Gobbles erupted from out in the field as well as the bird in the woods. I kept on cutting. Soon I was slobbering on myself. 5 Tom's came up over the rise gobbling moving from left to right. The Tom in the woods came out in the field from right to left, met up with the 5 Tom's, turned and came running straight to me. When he started to come my way I stopped calling. He stopped about 30yds out in the field. A couple more yelps and he came running again. I put the hammer down on him the when he came into the woods off of the private.

Matt Dale has really good Videos. Ol Turkey Master has a good Channel and shows how it is done in the Smokey Mts. And Bill Schmidt has both Spring + Fall Turkey Instructional Videos focusing 100% on Public Lands.

Quote from: Paulmyr on June 15, 2020, 07:34:08 PM
I was set up in public woods along a private field where I knew gobblers hung out. I was calling sporadically with some low key yelps and what not. Every once in a while I would get a courtesy gobble from 2 different directions maybe 150 to 200yds away. One would come from the edge of the woods I was in and the other from out in the field on the backside of a small rise. After about an hour and a half I let out a cutt. Got an immediate response from the bird in the woods. Cutt again and a gobble came from out in the field. I decided to let it all hang out cutting aggressively only stopping to take a breath. Gobbles erupted from out in the field as well as the bird in the woods. I kept on cutting. Soon I was slobbering on myself. 5 Tom's came up over the rise gobbling moving from left to right. The Tom in the woods came out in the field from right to left, met up with the 5 Tom's, turned and came running straight to me. When he started to come my way I stopped calling. He stopped about 30yds out in the field. A couple more yelps and he came running again. I put the hammer down on him the when he came into the woods off of the private.

And what does this have to do with YouTube?

Quote from: LaLongbeard on June 15, 2020, 07:40:08 PM

Quote from: Paulmyr on June 15, 2020, 07:34:08 PM
I was set up in public woods along a private field where I knew gobblers hung out. I was calling sporadically with some low key yelps and what not. Every once in a while I would get a courtesy gobble from 2 different directions maybe 150 to 200yds away. One would come from the edge of the woods I was in and the other from out in the field on the backside of a small rise. After about an hour and a half I let out a cutt. Got an immediate response from the bird in the woods. Cutt again and a gobble came from out in the field. I decided to let it all hang out cutting aggressively only stopping to take a breath. Gobbles erupted from out in the field as well as the bird in the woods. I kept on cutting. Soon I was slobbering on myself. 5 Tom's came up over the rise gobbling moving from left to right. The Tom in the woods came out in the field from right to left, met up with the 5 Tom's, turned and came running straight to me. When he started to come my way I stopped calling. He stopped about 30yds out in the field. A couple more yelps and he came running again. I put the hammer down on him the when he came into the woods off of the private.

And what does this have to do with YouTube?

It was in response to the reply prior to mine and the all the others about bad/ good calling, knowing what to say and when to say it. Maybe I should have included all the quotes with my reply to help you out.

Quote from: Jbird22 on June 02, 2020, 10:11:44 PM

Quote from: LaLongbeard on June 02, 2020, 10:37:59 AM
Let Realtree know that you don't approve of what they are sponsoring...

Watch this first ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2NYy0rdw50 ... You'll recognize the shooter as the owner of Realtree and his son as the one holding the strutter deke and bragging about the long shot using TSS, even though the turkey flew off and had to be searched for.

I quit watching Jordan's stuff years ago because it all seemed staged, as did this.  It's just weird to be fist bumping after you just shot a turkey and watched him fly off...my bet is that they found the turkey and re-shot the recovery part of the video.  Just BS   They are just making commercials for themselves and sponsors.

The great thing about YouTube is that anyone can post a video. The bad thing about YouTube is that anyone can post a video.

There is a dislike button and comments section for a good reason.

I'm kind of glad I didn't watch the 80 yard video before it was taken down. Sure we have all made some crappy decisions, it's part of learning. From what I hear though, they didn't take it as a learning experience until they caught flak on the video.

On the original topic - I'm not a very good caller, but can do OK and usually limit my vocalizations to yelps, cutting and clucking. When you find that bird you want, and find the setup you want, a few yelps is usually what will kill him.



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Quote from: catman529 on June 18, 2020, 11:43:47 PM
The great thing about YouTube is that anyone can post a video. The bad thing about YouTube is that anyone can post a video.
There is a dislike button and comments section for a good reason.
I'm kind of glad I didn't watch the 80 yard video before it was taken down. Sure we have all made some crappy decisions, it's part of learning. From what I hear though, they didn't take it as a learning experience until they caught flak on the video.
On the original topic - I'm not a very good caller, but can do OK and usually limit my vocalizations to yelps, cutting and clucking. When you find that bird you want, and find the setup you want, a few yelps is usually what will kill him.

I personally very much enjoy your videos catman.  Keep up the good work showing how it is supposed to be done!   As you state, anybody can start posting videos,...and some of them, without question, need to be called out on occasion.  Yours, however, have been outstanding.   :icon_thumright:

After you said something I went and looked at Catman's youtube channel, Gobblenut. You do a fine job catman, I'd share the water and woods with you.

Like those flatheads man.

Thanks Gobble Nut and eggshell, I appreciate it


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Catman , I enjoy your stuff also , just a good old boy enjoying Gods gifts from nature . I love a wingbone caller myself also .
   But ,  I wish you and others would stop saying what state your hunting in .  We can still enjoy the hunt not knowing where you are .  " constructive criticism'.   Rock on ????

Rock on!

Quote from: Howie g on June 19, 2020, 08:04:16 PM

   But ,  I wish you and others would stop saying what state your hunting in .  We can still enjoy the hunt not knowing where you are.

I don't think what state there in is the problem it's the extra unneeded signs and landmarks that have nothing to do with the actual hunt that's giving away their location.   

Quote from: LaLongbeard on June 20, 2020, 12:13:21 PM

Quote from: Howie g on June 19, 2020, 08:04:16 PM

   But ,  I wish you and others would stop saying what state your hunting in .  We can still enjoy the hunt not knowing where you are.

I don't think what state there in is the problem it's the extra unneeded signs and landmarks that have nothing to do with the actual hunt that's giving away their location.

This!!!  I love knowing what states y'all are in personally.  Kinda cool to see how other states stack up against others, my own personal experience in other states, and how many adapt to what are typically referred to as "pressured" states. 

Also, if a local is upset that their "honey hole" gets called out on YT, they prolly didn't have much of a honey hole. 

I for one wish that folks would not post what state they are in. I'm just not sure why it matters to mention it other than they may have a high volume of viewers who want to plan future hunts based off of knowing the areas the video is shot in. I feel this may be the case with a lot of the younger hunters.

Let me explain to those not from Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana..... because I think these folks for the most part understand. At least I feel like the older hunters do.

When you guys in these other states start getting the high volume of hunters from out of state like Missouri and Tennessee get from those states I mentioned, you are going to ask yourselves who in the heck opened the flood gates. I'll go ahead and answer it.... the video hunters who put what state they are hunting.

I recently cringed when I saw a video posted from a lesser known state that I enjoy hunting. It used to be on no one's radar. I have a feeling that is fixing to change.

For the ones chasing the US Slam.....posting the video locations is selfish and self serving. It matters not to them what crowds show up after they are gone. Their plans won't take them back to that area for some time.

I still love to watch the videos from Catman, THP, and Pinhoti.

Quote from: Jstocks on June 20, 2020, 05:18:54 PM
I for one wish that folks would not post what state they are in. I'm just not sure why it matters to mention it other than they may have a high volume of viewers who want to plan future hunts based off of knowing the areas the video is shot in. I feel this may be the case with a lot of the younger hunters.

Let me explain to those not from Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana..... because I think these folks for the most part understand. At least I feel like the older hunters do.

When you guys in these other states start getting the high volume of hunters from out of state like Missouri and Tennessee get from those states I mentioned, you are going to ask yourselves who in the heck opened the flood gates. I'll go ahead and answer it.... the video hunters who put what state they are hunting.

I recently cringed when I saw a video posted from a lesser known state that I enjoy hunting. It used to be on no one's radar. I have a feeling that is fixing to change.

For the ones chasing the US Slam.....posting the video locations is selfish and self serving. It matters not to them what crowds show up after they are gone. Their plans won't take them back to that area for some time.

I agree. But just saying I'm hunting X state is one thing but they are making it worse with the added details that have nothing to do with hunting. And your right about Mississippi and Louisiana when you start seeing them plates in your hunting spot you can go ahead and stop all hunter recruitment efforts or any need for hunting seminars to get the hunter numbers you feel like you "need" They fixin  to take care of that lol. And it don't matter if your in the extreme NE or West they will be coming.
     No need to mention the states name but if you hunted there this year you already seen first hand what the YT shows can do to what was unpressured states.
       

As a rookie/aspiring/growing/"wannabe" operator of a youtube channel, I really appreciate these kind of threads.  Quite honestly I learn a lot from them and it gets me thinking about things I may not have been thinking about before hand.  The topic of mentioning state names came up this spring while I was hunting a state that I'm guessing was where LaLongbeard just referenced.. hit hard by the big youtube channels last year and it was a mad house with people and non-gobbling turkeys.  I struggled.  Flat out.  I saw first hand the impact and have put a ton of thought and discussion into how we as a channel, (albeit on a much smaller scale) progress moving forward. 

Where my dilemma lies, is the pursuit of the state slam is the entire premise behind our "story".  We're traveling, and documenting our adventures.  Not all of that just lies in the turkey woods and involves some of the really awesome stuff you get to see on the road.  For instance, I have a western hunt that hasn't been posted yet.. there is a VERY obvious landmark that I had wanted to include because it was so cool to me as someone from the midatlantic.. I could see getting slammed for that, but what is not shown is how far I drove from my hunting area to get that picture - the viewer has no idea.  Maybe I turned around, maybe it was 8 hours away.  Our channel is about the journey, not just killing the turkey and that is what we were originally trying to show when we made the decision to film and make it available to all via the internet.  Self filming in foreign terrain can make the quality of the footage pretty rough at times, and if it were just another turkey video it probably wouldn't offer much.

We do try to be very selective with what we do and do not show as to not give much away about the area we're hunting, but there are places that if you've been there you will recognize and sometimes its hard to avoid.  Being pretty good at it ourselves, we're well aware of a hunters attention to detail and ability to break down pictures/videos and figure out a lot with only a little info presented.   

As far as not caring about blowing a state up because we're just pursuing the slam and moving on.  I don't see that as the case with us, as we very selfishly do care.  So many of these states I've already hunted I can't wait to get back in, and I wouldn't rule anything out as to when that occurs, could be next season just because I liked it so much, could be after I complete the slam.  Either way I want it to be just as memorable when I return.  I like to travel to turkey hunt and will continue to do so regardless of chasing a slam or not. 

I make no claims to have any of this figured out, like I said, it has generated a bunch of discussion between Bonce and I which I think is a good thing for our improvement regardless if we decide to drop the state mentions or not.. there are a ton of takeaways from threads like these and we're willing to learn - so thank you for that.

Derek 

The Bayside legion is one of the only shows I still watch. Y'all stick to the hunting without the nonsense of some other shows. Haven't seen any National forest road signs  either so it can be done.

I have not seen a lot of out of state turkey hunters around me, but turkey hunting has been hugely impacted by the hunting shows. What has happened is the reputation we have for big deer, thanks to a lot of publicity. The deer hunters have come in swarms and they come with big money to spend. They have bought up and leased up land in huge chunks. Three of my neighbors have leased their land to out of State deer hunters, that's over a thousand acres right around my house that is now off limits to me for turkey hunting. Of course these clowns post the crap out of their lease, but oddly enough they often show up on my land. Right off the top of my head I can account for 2,000 acres lost to local hunters just in my neighborhood. I don't blame the landowners, when someone rolls in and offers you $20.00/ acre to just hunt a few days a year, it's easy money. The neighbor who joins me owns 900 acres and leases it all for 20.00/acre, that's $18,000.00 easy money, I don't blame him. Even my sister leased the family farm right out from under me. This never happened until TV and media started raving about our big deer.

Talking about the calling. I had a tendency to mimic some of the better callers on YT and not actual  hens.  If you listen to hens in the wild the yelp is much shorter than what you hear callers doing.  Not saying that bad calling doesn't result in a dead turkey, but don't fall into the trap I fell into and assume competition calling is what is representative of typical turkey vocalizations.

Quote from: Wasp on June 21, 2020, 12:47:23 PM
Talking about the calling. I had a tendency to mimic some of the better callers on YT and not actual  hens.  If you listen to hens in the wild the yelp is much shorter than what you hear callers doing.  Not saying that bad calling doesn't result in a dead turkey, but don't fall into the trap I fell into and assume competition calling is what is representative of typical turkey vocalizations.

I think most people practice mimicking other people's calling rather than an actual hen turkey.


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